ABOUT THIS ALBUM

Album Notes

In early July, 2003 the members of the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums went into the recording studio for the 3rd time. Two weeks of 14 hour recording days paid off with one of the \"finest\" collections of bagpipe music one would ever ask for. \"Out Of The Blue\" contains some old classics in keeping with the Band\'s tradition of passing on Irish culture through music, as well as some more modern, fast paced tunes. A special track on the CD, \"Inspectors Funeral\", will pull at your heart strings as you listen to the solemn audio of the funeral for a fallen NYPD hero.

The New York City Police Department Emerald Society Pipes and Drums is the oldest and largest Police Pipe Band in America. Their roots trace back to 1959, when the idea to start a pipe band was born. One year later, on March 17, 1960, the Pipe Band performed in the New York City St. Patrick\'s Day Parade, and into history. It was a small Band that marched up Fifth Avenue that fateful day, born and nurtured by a group of men whose undying love and fierce pride in their Celtic Heritage was paramount.
No one knew that day what that small band of marchers would mean to this city and to this country. Make no mistake about it. The Band has become a permanent fixture in the daily life of the New York City Police Department and New York. But more than that it has inspired Police Departments and Emerald Societies throughout the country to forge ahead and embrace the idea that the skirl of pipes is right, is proper, is comforting for the everyday police officer. Recognition of the Band\'s special place in history was evident in May of 1989 at the National Law Enforcement Memorial Day ceremonies in Washington D.C. when the Band led a parade of thirty other law enforcement pipe bands. A special event indeed but even more so when one realizes that all those Bands were a direct result of the hard work and dedication of this Band. They were the \"offspring.\"

The people of New York know this Band. They know it from St. Patrick\'s Day, and they know it from the everyday events that this Band participates in throughout the city. And they know it from the Inspectors Funeral when this Band sends a member of the service killed in the line of duty home to be with God. There is no duty more important or more cherished. The Band is honored that it has been able to assist other locales in sending their brothers home; Chicago, Boston, Providence, Binghamton and Atlanta.

The Band is proud that it has performed for all New Yorkers, in every borough and every neighborhood. It is a privilege we hold dear. We have also played for Popes and Presidents, captains of industry and college presidents. In addition the Band has appeared on numerous television shows and movies including the \"Today Show,\" \"Late Night With David Letterman,\" \"State Of Grace,\" \"Copland,\" \"One Night Stand,\" and \"The Departed.\"

The Pipes & Drums Of The Emerald Society of the New York City Police Department is comprised of the Irish born; the sons and grandsons and great grandsons of Irish warriors who came to this country and found a better life. Only active and retired police officers are afforded the privilege. The members work in Narcotics, Harbor, Emergency Service, the Detective Bureau, the Patrol Bureau, as well as other assignments that comprise the NYPD. They serve proudly as cops, detectives and officers.

Like the NYPD Fire Dept. pipe band, this one has been around for a while. Perhaps one of the oldest and best known of the US Police pipe bands, these guys have been in every St. Patrick's day for the last 50 years. The band has taken a while to evolve professionally, but the sound they produce today seems a lot more polished than it was just a decade ago. While not a Grade 1 pipe band like the Strathclyde or Edinburgh Police pipe bands, they guys play with a lot of spirit. You will also find a lot of tunes not normally played on the pipes. I would say these guys produce the best ensemble sound of any of the NYC Municiple Pipe Bands. If you want that classic St. Patrick's Day sound then you can't go wrong here.